Dan Schachte, a former NHL linesman who was the first American-born official to work over 2,000 games, passed away on Tuesday. He started officiating games as a youth and turned it into a successful career. Read on to know how did Dan Schachte die.
Schachte worked as an NHL linesman for nearly 30 years. He worked in five Stanley Cup finals and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Schachte entered the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in the following year.
How did Dan Schachte die?
Dan Schachte died in the morning on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 64 years old. The unfortunate news of his death was announced by former Canadian ice hockey referee Dave Jackson on Twitter.
“RIP, Dan. Sadly, former NHL linesman Dan Schachte passed away surrounded by his family this morning in WI,” he wrote in a tweet.
RIP, Dan. Sadly, former NHL linesman Dan Schachte passed away surrounded by his family this morning in WI. His achievements are common knowledge but what he meant to his peers and young officials was even greater! Consummate teammate! Condolences to Kim and his 4 children. pic.twitter.com/1HLF1GJUhJ
— Dave Jackson (@ESPNRefNHL) September 6, 2022
The tweet adds: “His achievements are common knowledge but what he meant to his peers and young officials was even greater! Consummate teammate! Condolences to Kim and his 4 children.”
NHL pays tribute to Dan Schachte
The tragic news was later confirmed by NHL itself as the league paid tribute to the ex-linesman in a news release.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of former linesman Dan Schachte, a consummate professional, mentor of young officials, and devoted family man whose three-decade career set records for U.S.-born officials,” the statement reads.
“The first American to work 2,000 NHL games, Schachte’s elite officiating earned an assignment to a Canada Cup, World Cup, Olympic Games, and five Stanley Cup Finals.
“We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Kim, and his children, Dan, Lauren, Ian, and Madeline, and to his former colleagues and many admirers in the hockey community,” it adds.
Dan Schachte dead: what was the cause of his death?
Dan Schachte passed away this Tuesday. However, the specific cause of his death is unknown at the time of writing. It’s revealed that Schachte had been suffering from diabetes prior to his death. It’s unknown if the condition played a role in his demise.
He likely suffered a cardiac arrest as per the news surfacing on social media platforms. However, nothing is certain at this time. We’ll update this section once more information is revealed.
Who was Dan Schachte?
Dan Schachte was born on July 13, 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended Monona Grove High School in nearby Monona. He was an integral part of the institute’s hockey team. Schachte was also on the varsity reserve team at the University of Wisconsin.
His coach Bob Johnson then helped him get into officiating college games. He worked his first game in the NHL on October 1, 1982, in the old Chicago Stadium. The legendary linesman went on to officiate more than 2,000 games in the NHL.
Schachte officiated his final NHL game on March 18, 2012. His career spanned over three decades where he worked a total of 2,009 games. He wore uniform number 47 from the 1994-95 season until the day he retired.
Schachte later became the Supervisor of Officials for the Hockey East Associating. He is a member of the Madison Sports Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame.
Dan Schachte is survived by his wife and children
The family initially lived in Verona, Wisconsin but later moved to Middleton, Wisconsin. Our heart goes out to them in this tough time. May God let the departed soul rest in peace.